Northern Lake District and Borrowdale

Holiday Details:

Additional Details:

Extra Night

£85.00 Per Night

The Lake District is an area of immense beauty, great diversity and striking contrast from its high fells to deep valleys, by its cascading rivers, tarns and great lakes, by woods, fields and its lovely quaint villages and hamlets. Cumbria’s mountainous landscape, deepest valleys and longest lakes have provided inspiration for generations of artists, poets and writers from Wordsworth, Ruskin, Wainwright and Beatrix Potter

England's largest National Park is now a World Heritage Site, home to Scafell Pike - its highest mountain, Wastwater - its deepest lake and thriving communities like Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere.

Walking in the Lakes is a lifelong ever changing experience. It offers a vast range of very good, well maintained paths which give you full access to the hills, fells and lakes. No matter where you walk, whether it be along the valley, or to the crest of a low level hill you are rewarded with a 360 degree panorama of fells and beauty.

Whatever the weather, throughout the seasons the Lake District offers an ever changing kaleidoscope of mood and colour. It really is one of the most special places on earth and really needs to be visited and its paths walked.

It is hard to believe that Borrowdale, now part of the National Park, was once a hive of industrial activity with iron smelting, charcoal burning, and mining for copper and graphite. Scattered hamlets reflect the Nordic influence in their names, while stone walls and vernacular buildings chronicle centuries of farming. Today farming struggles to make a living Leading south from Derwent water, Borrowdale is surrounded by rugged crags, inviting fells, old mine workings and wooded valleys with clean rivers. The fine sessile oak woodlands are of particular ecological interest, and the damp, western climate supports internationally important lichens, mosses and insects. An alder woodland and marsh along the shores of Derwentwater provide an ideal nesting site for wildfowl and waders aisitors play an important role in sustaining the local community.

Accommodation and Food

Glaramara is a privately owned hotel which is run by an experienced and professional team whose aim is to make your visit a memorable and rewarding one.

The serene setting of Glaramara offers you the most perfect Lakeland retreat.The location of the hotel is particularly striking with commanding views of the Borrowdale Fells and the hotel is nestled into the hillside.The hotel is set in over 5 acres of private ground with stunning views from all aspects and nearly all of the hotels elegant rooms provide magnificent views of the surrounding Cumbrian Fells

The hotel facilities include a spacious lounge and bar each with log fires, a wrap around sun terrace to soak up the views, a drying room and free wi fi throughout.

It really is a very tranquil retreat.

The hotel bedrooms are equipped to a very high standard and have been very recently all been renovated. The bedrooms we have been allocted are single rooms - should you wish to guarantee a twin, or double room for sole occupation then please request this when you book as the hotel has many single rooms for us.However there is a charge of £10 per night for these rooms.

Dinner is a feature of our holiday with a three course evening meal with a changing daily menu complimenting our walking and is part of our social atmosphere.

Lunch is either a hearty packed lunch or we aim to call at local pubs where appropriate or we take a heart packed lunch from the hotels kitchen

Your guided walking programme

We have a number of dates fro this holiday- please read the detail below

Our North Lakes holiday is based from the most stunning Lakeland retreat Hotel in Borrowdale which is situated 8 miles south of Keswick in the picturesque hamlet of Seatoller in the very beautiful Borrowdale Valley. Our hotel location offers us a great variety of great walks straight from the hotel door and offers us either low level valley walks or the opportunity to ascend fantastic mid level fells and peaks. Our location opens up the options of visiting the following valleys of Honister, Buttermere, Crummuck Water, Langstrath and walking through the pretty hamlets of Rosthwaite, Seathwaite, Grange and Watendlath. We will also be able to visit some very well known landmarks such as Ashness Bridge, castle crag, Honister slate mine and Borrowdale Bowder Stone and walk some parts of the Coast to Coast and Cumbria Way path networks.

Our options are endless and we will match our walks to the weather and to the needs of the group.

Getting to Borrowdale

By car - follow your SatNavs instructions.

M6 - junction 38 for Keswick then follow signs for Borrowdale and Seatoller once you reach Keswick

There is a bus service to Keswick from Penrith and from Keswick to Seatoller. Taxis are also available.

Great reasons to join us

- meet new friends in a relaxed walking and social atmosphere

- beautiful countryside to walk through and enjoy

- super value for money- no single supplement

- professional, friendly walk leaders who are passionate and knowledeable about this area

- lovely country hotel with super food

Holiday Highlights

Fabulous Lake District scenery- Borrowdale, Skiddaw, Derwentwater

- Fabulous Autumn scenery- the russets, browns and oranges that make our Lake District autumn so vibrant

- Simply superb vista's every day.

- Some of the best walking in this country

- Lovely country house hotel and fabulous food.

- No single supplement

- Our relaxed social approach

-Meet new friends that turn into old friends

Whats Included

What you get on a Secret Hills break

Hotel bed and breakfast– en suite

Sole occupancy- no single supplement

Three course dinner

Lunch

Personal service

Expert guiding

Transport to walks start if necessary

Flexibility

A social, relaxed approach

No single supplement

Joining details prior to the holiday

Administration support from reservation to the date of your holiday

Customer Reviews

Borrowdale and the Northern Lakes, Autumn 2018

I recently went on the first Secret Hills short break to Borrowdale and thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. What a lovely setting the hotel was in, nestled away far from the crowds. I was soon checked in and joined the group for the first meeting, Jill the leader was welcoming and bubbling with enthusiasm, I’m sure we all felt relaxed straight away.

We had a good first walk from the hotel that first afternoon. It was a cloudy & sunny afternoon and after a very short time we were all admiring the views.

(IMG 0805). A lot of us had been on walking holidays before but there were a couple that hadn’t. They soon settled in however, I have yet to experience a group that isn’t full of nice people who soon help any initial anxieties melt away.

The next day’s walk was a full day one. It had obviously been carefully planned with a “Plan B” in case of bad weather. The weather wasn’t brilliant and we weren’t able to go the higher route but with all these lovely new people to chat to it didn’t matter. The scenery was still wonderful and varied. By the end of the day my shoulders were aching as the rain had penetrated my not totally waterproof coat but after the bus ride back I enjoyed the lovely hot shower even more.

The second day’s walk I don’t think could have been any better. With sunshine and no wind the light was amazing and we were treated to one glorious view after another, quite simply the best autumn walk I have ever had in my whole life – EVER! I mean look at these pictures from the end of the day, and I have about 50 more!

(IMG 0845 IMG 0846).

Another stunning walk up to Castle Cragg on the final morning followed by lunch brought the holiday to a close. It had been a complete tonic.

I could go on and on and write loads about the rooms, the evening meals, the breakfasts, the company, the organisation, but in summary - it was all fabulous. I have no hesitation in recommending this short break. I might well go again myself next year…..

A beautiful setting. It was lovely to feel secure in the knowledge that we were taking the best route and Jill had a superb knowledge of the area as well as an obvious love for it. The holiday was extremely well put together, accommodation, timing (autumn colours), knowledgeable guides. You even did a good job with the weather! I would have no hesitation in booking another holiday or advising others to do so. The group seemed to gel very well and I am sure that this was to a large part down to the people skills of Jill and Joe. "

Bev McCarthy - November 2018

Very much enjoyed my holiday in the lakes two weeks ago. Jill and Joe were excellent guides helping the less able of us without fuss. Can't stop showing friends the views and saying how good the hotel was. Warm rooms, hot water, good food and the luxury of a drying room. Met lots of interesting people and will be booking Scotland for next year. Thank Jill again for her leadership in all aspects of the holiday and yes the wow factor was there in abundance. Regards Sandy.

Liz Mills - Northern Lakes October 2018. Jill (walk leader) was a great host warm and welcoming. She was also caring, listened to what we said and thought on her feet when needed. Moreover,when one of our group had difficulty getting down a rather slippery slope she was there to hold their arm and give support. That to me says a lot.

Northern Lakes October 2018 Today was the best autumn walk I have ever had in my whole life! Thank you Jill, you have been an excellent guide and I would not hesitate to go on another of your holidays x"

- Lynne Dale - November 2018

"Northern Lakes October 2018 Had an amazing time! Thank you Jill for your warm welcome and expertise. Your knowledge and guidance was fantastic. I saw some amazing sights and took an abundance of photos of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. Would definitely recommend this area of the Lakes. In addition, your choice of hotel was brilliant: warm, comfortable and the food was delicious. Well done Secret Hills!"

- Kerry Steele - November 2018 Northern Lakes October 2018

Lynne Dale - Northern Lakes Holiday October 2018

Borrowdale and the Northern Lakes, Autumn 2018- A clients view

I recently went on the first Secret Hills short break to Borrowdale and thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. What a lovely setting the hotel was in, nestled away far from the crowds. I was soon checked in and joined the group for the first meeting, Jill the leader was welcoming and bubbling with enthusiasm, I’m sure we all felt relaxed straight away.

We had a good first walk from the hotel that first afternoon. It was a cloudy & sunny afternoon and after a very short time we were all admiring the views.

(IMG 0805). A lot of us had been on walking holidays before but there were a couple that hadn’t. They soon settled in however, I have yet to experience a group that isn’t full of nice people who soon help any initial anxieties melt away.

The next day’s walk was a full day one. It had obviously been carefully planned with a “Plan B” in case of bad weather. The weather wasn’t brilliant and we weren’t able to go the higher route but with all these lovely new people to chat to it didn’t matter. The scenery was still wonderful and varied. By the end of the day my shoulders were aching as the rain had penetrated my not totally waterproof coat but after the bus ride back I enjoyed the lovely hot shower even more.

The second day’s walk I don’t think could have been any better. With sunshine and no wind the light was amazing and we were treated to one glorious view after another, quite simply the best autumn walk I have ever had in my whole life – EVER! I mean look at these pictures from the end of the day, and I have about 50 more!

(IMG 0845 IMG 0846).

Another stunning walk up to Castle Cragg on the final morning followed by lunch brought the holiday to a close. It had been a complete tonic.

I could go on and on and write loads about the rooms, the evening meals, the breakfasts, the company, the organisation, but in summary - it was all fabulous. I have no hesitation in recommending this short break. I might well go again myself next year…..

The Lake District - magnificent in all seasons

The Northern region of the English Lake District National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty. With lakes, mountains, delightful small towns, villages and hamlets set among magnificent landscape this is somewhere to escape from the pressures of modern living. Visitors to this area come for many different reasons, some simply enjoy looking at the scenery, some will paint or use cameras to capture the views, while others will walk the valleys and climb the fells. Cycling as well as walking is a popular activity here, either on the roads or "mountain biking" on lanes, bridleways and specially created tracks. Open water swimming, kayaking and sailing takes place on some of the lakes, and some of the fells provide perfect "launch platforms" for those who like to paraglide over the valleys and lower fells.

The normally accepted boundary between the North and South areas of the Lake District is a line through Dunmail Raise. This is the pass which connects the Vale of Grasmere in the South to the Thirlmere valley in the North. This is the only low level route between North and South Lakes, reaching only 238 metres above sea level, and is the route for the A591 Keswick to Kendal road. The "Raise" is a stone cairn which is at the top of the pass, now on the reservation between the dual carriageways of the A591. This is the dividing line used for the content of this website.

The region around Keswick including Borrowdale an Derwentwater is probably the most visited in the Lake District after Windermere on account of its dramatic scenery and particularly the manner n which natural attractions such as Lodore Falls, Bowder Stone were dramatized by the Lakeland literary circle of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey and so on, and the Lakeland Painters. Keswick is also a magnet for climbers while nearby Catbells is probably the most-climbed peak in the lake District. This region also provides a huge diversity of scenery from the high peaks of Scafell and Great Gable above Borrowdale, to the ancient woodlands around Lodore, and tranquil meadows around Bassenthwaite and Wythop. There are also numerous attractions and distractions from sailing and climbing schools, to the boats on Derwentwater, the Cars of the Stars museum in Keswick, the mining museum and railway at Threlkeld, the visitors centre and osprey watch at Whinlatter, the slate mines at Honister and cultural attractions such as Castlerigg Stone Circle, Mirehouse and St Bega's church at Bassenthwaite.
Leading south from Derwent water, Borrowdale is surrounded by rugged crags, inviting fells, old mine workings and wooded valleys with clean rivers. The fine sessile oak woodlands are of particular ecological interest, and the damp, western climate supports internationally important lichens, mosses and insects. An alder woodland and marsh along the shores of Derwentwater

Northern Lakes and Borrowdale

A beautiful setting. It was lovely to feel secure in the knowledge that we were taking the best route and Jill had a superb knowledge of the area as well as an obvious love for it. The holiday was extremely well put together, accommodation, timing (autumn colours), knowledgeable guides. You even did a good job with the weather! I would have no hesitation in booking another holiday or advising others to do so. The group seemed to gel very well and I am sure that this was to a large part down to the people skills of Jill and Joe. "

Holiday Details:

Additional Details:

Extra Night

£85.00 Per Night

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You matter to us & we promise to provide you with a superb walking & social holiday, tailored specifically to your needs. We provide walking holidays for walkers & as walkers ourselves, we appreciate & understand the requirements of a walking holiday.

What Others Said...

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Thank you so much for another wonderful holiday. Slovenia is so stunning that it is very hard to leave. I appreciate how much hard work goes in to making every trip a success

From: 22nd September 2019

Northern Lakes October 2018
Had an amazing time! Thank you Jill for your warm welcome and expertise. Your knowledge and guidance was fantastic. I saw some amazing sights and took an abundance of photos of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. Would definitely recommend this area of the Lakes.....